Outlaw bikie gangs to form council

Outlaw bikie gangs are putting aside their rivalries to form a lobby group aimed at
ending the cycle of violence, and blocking moves to declare them criminal
organisations.
Senior club members on Sunday will meet for peace talks at a Rebels clubhouse at
Leppington, in southwestern Sydney, where they plan to launch the NSW Bikers
Council.
The news has been cautiously welcomed by NSW Police, who say they approve of any
attempts to end the recent spate of bikie-related violence.
News of the council follows months of tension between bikie gangs that boiled over
into a March 22 brawl at Sydney airport that left one man dead.
Police have cracked down on gangs since the fatal fight between Hells Angels and
Comancheros members, with more than 50 outlaw motorcycle gang members arrested since
the formation of Strike Force Raptor.
The NSW government also has passed tough new laws this month, allows the NSW Supreme
Court to declare bikie gangs criminal organisations.
The new bikie council will receive legal representation from Sydney QC Geoffrey
Nicholson, who said it aimed to reassure the public, and take on the government over
the new laws.
The majority of Sydney's clubs would be represented at Sunday's meeting, he said.
"Its purpose is, in part, to reassure the public as to the reason for its existence
and to bring some objectivity into the picture and to also comment upon the biker
legislation the state government has passed," he told AAP.
Police tentatively welcomed the peace talks, with the head of the Gang Squad, Mal
Lanyon, saying they encouraged "any talks that increase public safety and reduce
violence".
Police will monitor Sunday's meeting, but Detective Superintendent Lanyon stressed
that did not mean violence was expected.
"There has been an escalation of violence in recent times, there have been incidents
of drive-by shootings and incidents such as (the fatal brawl at) Sydney airport," he
said.
"We think it is important to ensure that these types of meetings do not deteriorate
into violence and accordingly we will monitor them."
Bond University criminologist, Professor Paul Wilson, said the peace talks and the
formation of the council should be supported by police.
"These are positive moves, and police and other authorities should be trying to
ensure they are allowed to develop and work," Prof Wilson said.
"It's a very healthy sign and maybe one of the positive aspects which has come out
of the recent concern about bikie gangs."
But NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos dismissed the council as nothing more
than a publicity stunt, and said the government would continue its tough stance
against the gangs.
"We certainly have no interest in negotiating those terms with any groups that are
involved in anyway in criminal behaviour," he said.
"I'm not interested in PR stunts or reassuring words given on behalf of persons who
are involved in behaviour which causes significant community concern."
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said formation of the NSW Bikers Council was
proof bikies were scared of the laws.